Heder
A German surname possibly derived from the word "Heide" meaning heath or wasteland.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 274 Americans carry the last name Heder. That puts it at #77,522 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.08 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,250,928 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Heder surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
274
1 in 1,250,928
Census rank
#77,522
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
247
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 247 bearers of the surname Heder in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 77522nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Heder, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Heder
The surname HEDER is believed to have originated in Germany, with roots dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to be derived from the German word "hede," which means "heather" or "heath," suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived near or worked in a heather-covered area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name HEDER can be found in the records of the town of Heidelberg, where a farmer named Hans HEDER was mentioned in a land registry from the year 1584. This suggests that the name was already well-established in the region at that time.
In the 17th century, the HEDER surname spread throughout various parts of Germany and neighboring countries. Johannes HEDER, a prominent theologian born in Saxony in 1637, was known for his writings on Protestant doctrine. His works were widely circulated and helped to establish the HEDER name among the academic circles of the time.
As the HEDER family grew and dispersed, variations in spelling began to emerge. Some of the earliest recorded spellings include HEDER, HEDDER, and HEDERE, reflecting the regional dialects and scribal interpretations of the time.
One notable bearer of the HEDER name was Friedrich HEDER, a German composer and organist born in 1751 in Halle. His compositions for organ and church choirs were highly regarded during his lifetime and contributed to the cultural legacy of the HEDER family.
In the 19th century, the HEDER surname made its way across the Atlantic, with several families emigrating from Germany to the United States. One such individual was Wilhelm HEDER, a skilled carpenter who settled in Pennsylvania in 1842. His craftsmanship and attention to detail helped establish the HEDER name in the American construction industry.
Another notable figure was Marie HEDER, a German-born artist who gained recognition for her intricate landscape paintings in the late 19th century. Born in 1867 in Bavaria, her works were exhibited in galleries across Europe and captured the beauty of the German countryside.
As the HEDER surname continues to evolve and spread across the globe, it carries with it a rich history rooted in the German countryside, academic pursuits, and artistic expression, reflecting the diverse experiences and contributions of those who have borne this name throughout the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Heder
Among Census respondents with the surname Heder, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Heder bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Heder surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.9%
- Hispanic or Latino4.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander2.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Heder surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #77,522 | #77,522 | 0.0% |
| Count | 247 | 247 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Heder bearers went from 247 to 247 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #77,522 to #77,522.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Heder
FAQ
Heder surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Heder?
The surname Heder holds position #77,522 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 274 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Heder surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Heder, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.